Ryan, Akin: Two More Reasons to Vote for Obama (tags)
On the eve of the Republican National Convention, two stories — Mitt Romney's choice of arch-conservative Ayn Rand devotee Paul Ryan as his running mate and Missouri Congressmember and Senate candidate Todd Akin's comment that women almost never get pregnant from "legitimate rape" — highlighted the vast differences between the two major parties. No progressive can possibly still believe that it makes no difference whether the Republicans or the Democrats win this year's election in the face of the overwhelming evidence that the Republicans plan (and, if they win, will enact) a sweeping change in U.S. government that will eliminate ALL business regulation, environmental protection and civil rights for women, people of color and Queers.
Cindy Sheehan Speaks at Reception in San Diego (tags)
For four years, from her emergence as an anti-war activist following the death of her son Casey in combat in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan was a hero among liberals and Democrats for her attempts to hold then-President George W. Bush to account for starting the Iraq war and taking her son's life in vain. Then she ran for Congress against Democratic icon Nancy Pelosi and made it clear she held both major parties responsible for the war and the rest of America's ills. Now she's Roseanne Barr's running mate in the Peace and Freedom Party's Presidential campaign, running on a socialist platform that says education, housing and health care are human rights.
Sean Wherley: Activist Comedian Laughs Out Proud (tags)
Veteran activist and political staffer Sean Wherley found another outlet a year ago when he took up stand-up comedy and started the Laugh Out Proud shows the second Thursday of every month at Martinis Above Fourth in Hillcrest, San Diego. His monthly shows present Queer and Queer-friendly comedians from San Diego and L.A. — and they're funny!
Chaos in San Diego's Medical Marijuana Community (tags)
A report on conflicts within San Diego's medical marijuana community between the grass-roots Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and the dispensaries' trade group, Patients' Care Association (PCA) — and conflicts within the PCA between locals and an out-of-town organizer they accuse of trying to take over.
San Diego Hammers Down on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries, Despite Public Support (tags)
Despite overwhelming public input asking for a looser ordinance that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to locate in commercial areas throughout San Diego and remain open while they pursued permits, the San Diego City Council voted 5-2 on Monday, March 26 for an ordinance that will close down all dispensaries for at least a year and force them to locate only in industrial zones — inconveniently far from the patients they serve. Even most of the Councilmembers who voted for the ordinance, which was tweaked at the last minute to make it slightly less restrictive, made it clear that they regard medical marijuana patients and the institutions that serve them as a detriment, not an asset, to the city.
“Know Your Rights,” Progressive Attorneys Tell Activist San Diego (tags)
Though guest of honor Ted Burke, one of 11 Midwest peace and social justice activists recently detained and harassed by the FBI, wasn't able to make Activist San Diego's November 15 meeting on law enforcement and political activism, the discussion was still compelling. Local attorneys and activists Kate Yavenditti, Frank Gormlie and Alex Landon reviewed the history of anti-Left and anti-progressive repression in San Diego and discussed what rights you have when you're stopped by law enforcement or when police officers come to your home.
Medical Marijuana Caregiver Convicted of Drug Dealing (tags)
Until May 28, 2008 John Ottombrino was just another yoga and massage teacher, giving lessons and alternative health information from his home in Kearny Mesa. Then police broke in his door and arrested him for cultivation of marijuana and possession with intent to sell. Though he was growing it for three medical marijuana patients and had letters from their doctors proving it, the cops ignored that evidence — and so did the judge at his trial, who wouldn't let him introduce evidence that he was providing caregiving services for his clients.
San Diego Queer Democrats Endorse Beach Booze Ban (tags)
The predominantly Queer San Diego Democratic Club voted September 25 to endorse Proposition 4 on the November 4 ballot in the city of San Diego, which would make the temporary ban on alcohol consumption at city beaches permanent. Opponents have argued that the ban is an attack on individual freedom, but the club rejected that argument and instead supported beach-area residents who say the ban has improved their quality of life.
Mike Copass: Progressive Democrat Takes On Pro-War Incumbent (tags)
Though San Diego Congressmember Susan Davis voted against the original authorization for the war in Iraq, since then she's been a faithful supporter of funding the war and last year crossed party lines to vote for the open-ended, three-year commitment to the occupation pushed by the Bush administration. Mike Copass, scientist and legal consultant, is mounting a grass-roots primary campaign against her with the support of Progressive Democrats of America, who helped Donna Edwards mount a similar challenge in Maryland to a pro-war Democrat.
Gore Vidal Headlines San Diego Anti-War Rally (tags)
Author Gore Vidal headlined the San Diego anti-war rally March 15 in the working-class City heights district and declared he'd be happy if either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama replaced George W. Bush as President. Other speakers including Nadia Keilani of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, were less optimistic about the political process and faulted both Democrats and Republicans for failing to confront U.S. imperialism.
Editorial on the Minutemen (tags)
PRESENTLY TENSE What’s in a name? Modern Minutemen can’t talk their way out of their moniker’s past
TSUNAMI - Global Vigil 3,000 Candles at Ocean Beach, San Francisco (tags)
We need 3,000 virtual candles lit online at our website with your accompanying words and reflections by Wednesday in time for a giant 1,000 foot wide Candlelight Tsunami Global Vigil for the Global Village.
Tsunami Global Vigil for the Global Village (tags)
Global Vigils will take place on Sunday, 9 January, Monday, 10 January and Wednesday, 26 January 2005 in cities across the planet. The earthquake and tsunami hit Asia on Sunday December 26th, 2004. We did not mourn immediately because we knew so little. Soon, a fuller understanding of what happened crossed our consciousness. We realised that the earthquake and tsunami HAD hit Asia – but it had also hit the whole world.
350 Rally & March for Peace in San Diego communtiy of Ocean Beach (tags)
350 people gather to support peace and oppose a military invasion of Iraq.
Despite six months of protests and meetings and pickets Starbucks has ignored the people and this last Saturday the they had their grand opening
In the Ocean Beach community of San Diego a strange alliance of activists, people, and small buisness owners have gotten togeather to keep Starbuc$ from coming into the beach town. Tuesday 06/26/01 they were joined by people that were in town to protest the Bio-engineering trade show for a livly rally and march. SDIMC
Starbucks Get Out of OB! (tags)
Approximately 250 community activists and concerned citizens staged a kickass demonstration against Starbucks in Ocean Beach this evening. They danced, drummed, sang and chanted their way through downtown Ocean Beach stopping along the way to cheer independent coffee shops. They're in the midst of a campaign to keep Starbucks from opening a store on Newport Ave.
OB Protest Starbucks with Street Theatrics! (tags)
May 19th protest at Starbucks in Point Loma, San Diego
No More Starbucks! Protest in Point Loma, SD(today) (tags)
May 19th, 2001 11am Point Loma Starbucks, 3305 Rosecrans